Islamabad launches crackdown against private ‘cabs’

ISLAMABAD: Though ride-sharing services such as Careem secured a ‘relief’ in Punjab and Sindh, police in Islamabad launched a crackdown against the services on Thursday.

Police say they impounded at least five cars which were operating illegally.



A notification issued by the Islamabad deputy commissioner on January 1 states said that companies such as Careem, Darbi and Citi Cab offering cab and ride-sharing services are operating in the capital without registering their vehicles with any regulatory body, obtaining the required fitness certificates and route permits from the concerned authorities thus causing huge losses to the government exchequer.

Private vehicles being used as taxis are parked at a stand in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS

The notification added that cars registered as private vehicles were being used for commercial work by these companies were in violation of the Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965. It went on to add that these unregistered ‘cabs’ were also a security threat to the public.



Secretary Islamabad Transport Authority Jawad Muzaffar said on Thursday that a crackdown had begun against private cars being used as cabs. Muzaffar added that they had impounded five cars already. Dispelling the notion of targeting any particular company, he said the authority was taking action against ‘all private cars’ being used as a taxi since it was a violation of motor vehicle law.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2017.